Translate the user interface
How to translate windows, fields, menus and messages. Applies to iDempiere 11 and later. Checked in October 2026.
In short
- Log in as System Administrator. Changes apply to all Tenants.
- Translate the element, not the field.
- Use the System Translation Check window to work through one language.
Where to translate
| Text | Window => tab |
|---|---|
| Field labels, help | Element => Translation |
| Window, tab, field names | Window, Tab & Field => Window, Tab or Field Translation |
| Menu entries | Menu => Translation |
| Processes and parameters | Report & Process => Report Translation, Parameter Translation |
| Messages and buttons | Messages => Translation |
| Drop-down values | Reference => List Translation |
| Info windows | Info Window => Window Translation, Column Translation |
The System Translation Check window shows all these tabs for one language.
A language appears on the login page only when Login Locale is selected. See Language flags.
Translate the element, not the field
Most fields are Centrally Maintained: they take their label from the element. Synchronize Terminology copies element translations to fields, process parameters, info columns, print format items and menus.
warning
Every upgrade runs Synchronize Terminology. A translation typed on a centrally maintained field is lost. To give one field its own label, clear Centrally Maintained first.
Other tasks
- Override a message for one Tenant: see Messages at Client Level.
- Find untranslated texts: filter a translation tab on Translated = No, or run the coverage query. It counts messages, elements, fields and menus; add other
_Trltables the same way. - See your changes: run Cache Reset, then log in again.
- Plug-in texts: translate them in the same windows. To deliver them, see Ship translations.